Friends of Mill Works created First Sundays as an ongoing series offering an afternoon of creativity. Sept. 7 marked the beginning of the season of First Sundays, which will occur for the rest of this year and run again in 2015 from February through June. Mill Works is the rare destination that offers art lessons, music, history, puppetry and story telling amidst pristine scenery – all for free. Located on Hall's Pond on River Road, the Mill has been lovingly transformed from a mid -19th century spool mill owned by Gardiner Hall, Jr., into a three-story place to create. It is filled with artists' studios and creative businesses. One year ago, the mill also attracted a group of ambitious and energetic people with the common desire of making Mill Works a cultural destination for the whole family.

Mill Works is the rare destination that offers art lessons, music, history, puppetry and story telling amidst pristine scenery – all for free. Located on Hall's Pond on River Road, the Mill has been lovingly transformed from a mid -19th century spool mill owned by Gardiner Hall, Jr., into a three-story place to create. It is filled with artists' studios and creative businesses. One year ago, the mill also attracted a group of ambitious and energetic people with the common desire of making Mill Works a cultural destination for the whole family.

Friends of Mill Works created First Sundays as an ongoing series offering an afternoon of creativity. Sept. 7 marked the beginning of the season of First Sundays, which will occur for the rest of this year and run again in 2015 from February through June.

Gigi Broderick, the president of the Friends of Mill Works, was pleased with the achievements of the first year. "We have received state historic designation, started First Sundays, and established the Gardiner Hall, Jr., Museum," Broderick said. "We are in partnership with the school to do historical research and integrate the research into their curriculum, and we have been instrumental in the town receiving a Vibrant Community Initiative Grant."

On Sept. 7, the offerings were varied and targeted to children. Puppeteer Anatar Marmol entertained kids with shadow puppetry. She wrote the music for her presentation and does hand and marionette puppetry as well. "I go through cycles. Now I'm in love with shadow puppetry. It's magical. I'm a writer and visual artist, and this allows me to create a world of my own vision," she said.

Resident artists opened their studios and gave demonstrations or did workshops. Marion Matthews, David Lussier, Carol Mackiewicz and Chris Gunderson all gave workshops on various art forms. "We explored the medium of oil pastels, manipulating and blending colors," Mackiewicz explained.

Gunderson dealt with some basics in cartooning. "I tailor my presentation based on who is in the group. We start with some basic shapes, then personalize," he said.

Dick Symonds gave a talk on the lost mill sites in Willington and people could view the Gardiner Hall, Jr., Museum for more history.

To learn about offerings and programs at future First Sundays, visit http://www.themillworks.us.